Completed in March-2013 the Calgary Airport geoexchange system is the largest installation in Canada. The project objectives included the supply and installation of a vertical ground loop system, four thermal conductivity tests and technical design review and support. The ground loop installation includes over 530,000 feet (164km) of vertical ground loop piping, over 200,000 feet (60km) of horizontal tie-in piping and over 265,000 feet (82km) of vertical drilling.
The project was broken down into two phases, the International terminal and piers. Each phase consists of multiple mechanical rooms which have mechanical headers collecting the supply/return lines from the vertical ground loop heat exchanger. Two thermal conductivity tests were also completed per phase and an engineering analysis report was completed for each test and provided to the client.
The main challenges were following the excavation team and staying ahead of the forming team. It was critical that the vertical wells were drilled on schedule which allowed access for our horizontal tie-in team to follow in behind. By incorporating a central pre-built header system for each circuit it allowed the installation time for the field headers to be virtually cut in half. Spray Foam insulation technology was also utilized to provide a much better quality product and ensure all piping was fully enclosed and protected with an increased “R” value. By using Spray Foam it also enabled us to backfill at a much earlier stage thus speeding up the schedule.
